Updating Your Bathroom Lighting

When you first moved into your home, the bathrooms may have been simple, utilitarian spaces that functioned well enough, but didn’t offer anything spectacular. Over the years, you’ve thought about updating these spaces, especially the master bathroom. Now that you have the time and the money, you’re ready to find a new tub, a new shower, and a new double vanity. However, have you considered the new bathroom lighting that you’re going to need? At The Light Center in Fort Collins, we can help you find new lights that will help transform your bathroom from that simple, functional space to a luxurious, spa-like atmosphere.

The Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting refers to the general overhead light in any space, and when it comes to the bathroom, it’s often a flush or semi-flush mount fixture that illuminates the entire room. It may also have a ventilation fan integrated into the fixture, and while this can work just fine, it may not give off the vibe that you want. A mini chandelier can make the bathroom feel more extravagant, without taking up too much space.

Recessed lighting can also provide ambient lighting, especially above the tub or shower, where you can’t have a hanging fixture. Putting these new recessed fixtures on a dimmer switch will allow you to control the levels for those early-morning showers or late-evening soaks.

The Vanity Lighting

When it comes to bathrooms, a lot of the focus is put on finding the proper vanity lighting, and this is a very smart thing to do. If you think about it, you probably spend a lot of time in front of the mirror, shaving, brushing your teeth, or putting on makeup. Your vanity lights need to be just right, but they shouldn’t necessarily only be above the mirror. Light from above can cast unflattering lines and shadows on your face, and for many people, that is the last thing they want.

Instead of the traditional four- or five-bulb vanity fixture, consider placing wall sconces on either side of the mirror; that way, the light comes from the side, and you do away with those lines and shadows. You’ll also want to make sure that the overhead ambient fixtures aren’t directly above your head. If they are, you could create more shadows on the vanity.

The Lighting Controls

As we said above, dimmer switches are ideal for any recessed lighting in your bathroom, but you’ll also want to have each fixture or set of fixtures on its own lighting controls. There should be one switch that turns on the overhead light, one that turns on the sconces, and one that turns on the ventilation fan. If your current switch or control turns on everything at once, then consider updating your controls so that you have precise command over every fixture.

If you’ve been thinking about updating your master bathroom lighting, or you have a powder room that desperately needs a new overhead fixture, then come to The Light Center in Fort Collins today. We have an outstanding selection to choose from, and we’d love nothing more than to help you choose new fixtures for your home.